Outreach Moldova

by Kelly

This coming May I will be spending two weeks volunteering in Moldova at an orphanage for disabled girls with a Dublin based charity called Outreach Moldova. Since 2000, this organization has virtually rebuilt a crumbling facility in the former Soviet republic. Conditions found by aid workers before this charity was founded were appalling: ranging from inadequate food and clothing to non-existent medical care and severe neglect.

I urge you to check out Outreach Moldova's website for details on the improvements made in the last seven years and all the amazing work they still do. It is heartwarming to see what they have accomplished: new medical and dental facilities, sanitary and functioning kitchens, living and sleeping areas that are safe, clean and cheerful.

From May through October Outreach Moldova sends volunteer groups for two week trips to the orphanage to assist the staff and provide the girls with much needed love and affection. I'll be going with the first group, leaving Dublin in late May. Wish me luck!!

I can go on and on about the good work this charity does and how excited I am to take part in it but I'll leave you to investigate their website.

One of the requirements for volunteers is fund-raising and I must raise a minimum of €1700 (about $2,400) in order to make the trip. This sponsorship is one of the ways the orphanage is able to continue operating and keep improving the facility.

Please make a donation if you are able. No amount is too small (or too large!) Please use the Paypal "Donate" button on this page so that all contributions can be counted towards the total I must raise. It takes just a few minutes to donate by credit card, no need to create a Paypal account. And if you can think of any other generous souls who might contribute - feel free to pass this on!!

A thousand thanks!!!

-k.

p.s. Thanks to H.K. for making the very first donation :)

Happy Anniversary

by Chris

We celebrated our 10th Wedding Anniversary/Valentines day with Michael & Patrice. We had a lovely dinner at the Town Bar & Grill in Dublin, then went out for drinks at 4 Dame Lane, The Market Bar and ended the evening at Copper Face Jack's

Town Bar & Grill

Someone at Copper's thought I was Dylan McGrath, the Chef from Mint...a fancy schmancy restaurant in Ranelagh.

When I told the guy that I was not the Chef from Mint, Patrice told him that although I wasn't a world class chef, he probably recognized me because I play for the New England Patriots !

He didnt believe that, of course.

We stayed out too late and drank too much but a great time was had by all. Poor Michael was the only one who had to work today, as he is quick to point out, he has a J. O. B.

Yummy Chicken Wings

Check out my guest appearance on Sean's blog - Gibby's World

-Chris

Meow

One day while Mike & Bobbie were visiting we met a kitten, the sweetest and friendliest cat I've come across in a long time. We called her Cheese and spent at least a half hour getting and giving cuddles and love. Never mind the ruined abbey and nature trails, Cheese was Glendalough's star attraction that day. In this pic you see the tiny hand of an adorable Czech girl who loved Cheese as much as we did.

It was soooo nice to get a cat fix.
I miss all the kitties I've had in my life, particularly Marley, the last precious honey to own us.
So how thrilled was I to come home after our Cheese encounter and find the following e-mail in my inbox?

Dear Kelly and Chris,

Your cat has won the hearts of her new homeowners. Having had Siamese cats for 20 years we never expected a Tabby to be so communicative. We find it difficult to turn over in bed at night since she has us pinned down and we do not want to disturb her. It’s worse than having a kid in bed with us.

Hope you are enjoying your new life in Ireland. We hiked along the coastline, north of Galway four years ago.

I will never forget my first experience spending a day in the rain crossing a bog.

I hate to report that if you ever return to the states you can not claim Marley.

All the best,

H&B

What can I say? It was a real feel-good day. I am eternally grateful to Marley's new Mommy and Daddy, especially since they had never met us and still took in our darling old broad. Also big thanks to our new Mommy & Daddy finder, Clayton.

Marley always felt like she was misunderstood by most, and I tend to agree. It's nice to know she's got new humans that get her.

Here are Marley and Jack in a rare moment of sibling love. Jack lives with his new Mommy, my sister Tina, for the last few years. I am hoping to get a face full of that belly on our trip to F-L-A.

I am not sure if he'll still let me, but a girl can dream, can't she?

-k.

Can't wait to get a dose....

of sunshine and these little bugs.

-k.